Delaying the Euros is right but will cause strangeness for Chelsea

The Euros and other international tournaments have been delayed until next summer. That will cause strange movements in and around Chelsea.

With Covid-19 already delaying the end of the season, it was really not much of a surprise to learn that the Euros and the Copa America have both been delayed until next summer. That offers leagues time to finish out this season while still getting somewhat of a break before the new one dawns.

But big international tournaments weigh on the minds of players. In fact, it is not at all unusual for players to engineer moves to new clubs the year before these competitions to find a better chance of making the national squad.

With these tournaments delayed, some of those plans will have been for naught. For others, they now have the chance to move and get their chance that was lost this season. All of that together will make things weird for Chelsea.

Olivier Giroud is surely the best example. He is France’s number one striker, but he is well aware that the Euros were his last chance to play for his nation. That is why he tried so hard to engineer a move in January. He has been resurgent enough to make the team regardless, but now he has to account for an entire new year. Giroud would surely find it hard to stay and fight for a spot for another year when this chance to move and earn a spot for France is present.

Incoming transfers could affect that thinking as well. Fikayo Tomori may have thought he had a pretty good shot at going to the Euros before being dropped this calendar year. If the Blues show any sign at all of signing a new center back, then that would surely push Tomori towards an exit or a loan to try to earn a spot with England.

Of course, it is not all doom and gloom. Many players who, because of their injuries, had probably been written now have a shot at making the squad. Look no further than Ruben Loftus-Cheek who would have been a loyalty callup rather than a merited one after nearly a year off. He can now find his feet again and earn his way back.

Chelsea could benefit from this in much the same way. If a player at a smaller club thinks they have what it takes to make their squad, but they need the exposure, well a move to Chelsea could help offer that. It could also backfire (see Michy Batshuayi) but some might see it as worth the risk.

This season ending the way it is will be felt deeply into next season regardless of when (or if) play resumes. The club and fans need to be preparing for all of these eventualities as they look towards the future once this virus has passed the world by. Until then, as with all things right now, it is a case of wait and see for Chelsea.